Women’s workforce participation in Maryland trails men’s

Maryland’s workforce gap

Women participate in Maryland’s workforce at a lower rate than men despite making gains in entrepreneurship, a new analysis from the state comptroller’s office found. Women are more likely than men to start their own businesses, but they continue to face barriers to entering or remaining in the labor force.

Statewide, 68% of Maryland residents age 16 or older in the civilian, non-institutionalized population are either working or actively seeking work. The rate is 73% for men and 65% for women.

The size of that gap varies across Maryland. Some counties in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore have wider differences than more populated parts of the state. Participants in regional discussions pointed to limited employment opportunities, fewer higher-education options and lower educational attainment as contributing factors. The gap is also wider among people who do not speak English.

Federal cuts add pressure

Federal job cuts that began in early 2025 affected almost 30,000 Marylanders and may have fallen especially heavily on Black women. Black women held a larger share of federal jobs than their share of Maryland’s population and were more concentrated in agencies that experienced major reductions.

National estimates cited in the state analysis found that federal cuts had reduced Black women’s federal employment by 25% by August 2025.

Ronicsa Chambers was among the affected Maryland workers. Chambers, formerly the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility manager, was placed on administrative leave as the Trump administration moved to reduce federal spending.

The comptroller’s office developed the analysis after nine roundtables involving more than 200 women from across Maryland. It is the office’s first broad statewide examination of women’s role in Maryland’s economy, WTOP reported.